Floor SpeechNeutral2026-09-30

Introductory Statement on S. 5619

HealthcareTaxesSocial Security

Context

On 2026-09-30, Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) delivered a floor speech titled "Introductory Statement On S. 5619" in the Senate.

Full Text

Introductory Statement on S. 5619

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 155 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 155 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S5264] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mrs. Gillibrand): S. 5619. A bill to restore the allowance of the premium tax credit for lawfully present individuals, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 5619 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act''. SEC. 2. RESTORATION OF ALLOWANCE OF PREMIUM TAX CREDIT FOR LAWFULLY PRESENT INDIVIDUALS. (a) In General.--Section 71301 of Public Law 119-21 is repealed, and each provision of law amended by such section is amended to read as such provision would read if such section had never been enacted. (b) Effective Date.--Each amendment made by this section shall take effect as if included in the provision of Public Law 119-21 to which such amendment relates. SEC. 3. RESTORATION OF ALLOWANCE OF PREMIUM TAX CREDIT DURING PERIODS OF MEDICAID INELIGIBILITY DUE TO ALIEN STATUS. (a) In General.--Section 36B(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by section 71302 of Public Law 119- 21, is amended by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph: ``(B) Special rule for certain individuals lawfully present in the united states.--If-- ``(i) a taxpayer has a household income which is not greater than 100 percent of an amount equal to the poverty line for a family of the size involved, and ``(ii) the taxpayer is an alien lawfully present in the United States, but is not eligible for the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act by reason of such alien status, the taxpayer shall, for purposes of the credit under this section, be treated as an applicable taxpayer with a household income which is equal to 100 percent of the poverty line for a family of the size involved.''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. SEC. 4. STATE OPTION TO INCREASE MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR BASIC HEALTH PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY. (a) In General.--Section 1331(e)(1)(B) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18051(e)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``200 percent'' and inserting ``a percentage to be determined by the State that is not less than 200 percent and not more than 250 percent''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. ______

Referenced legislation: S5619

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Introductory Statement on S. 5619 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 155 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 155 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S5264] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mrs. Gillibrand): S. 5619. A bill to restore the allowance of the premium tax credit for lawfully present individuals, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 5619 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act''. SEC. 2. RESTORATION OF ALLOWANCE OF PREMIUM TAX CREDIT FOR LAWFULLY PRESENT INDIVIDUALS. (a) In General.--Section 71301 of Public Law 119-21 is repealed, and each provision of law amended by such section is amended to read as such provision would read if such section had never been enacted. (b) Effective Date.--Each amendment made by this section shall take effect as if included in the provision of Public Law 119-21 to which such amendment relates. SEC. 3. RESTORATION OF ALLOWANCE OF PREMIUM TAX CREDIT DURING PERIODS OF MEDICAID INELIGIBILITY DUE TO ALIEN STATUS. (a) In General.--Section 36B(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by section 71302 of Public Law 119- 21, is amended by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph: ``(B) Special rule for certain individuals lawfully present in the united states.--If-- ``(i) a taxpayer has a household income which is not greater than 100 percent of an amount equal to the poverty line for a family of the size involved, and ``(ii) the taxpayer is an alien lawfully present in the United States, but is not eligible for the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act by reason of such alien status, the taxpayer shall, for purposes of the credit under this section, be treated as an applicable taxpayer with a household income which is equal to 100 percent of the poverty line for a family of the size involved.''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. SEC. 4. STATE OPTION TO INCREASE MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR BASIC HEALTH PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY. (a) In General.--Section 1331(e)(1)(B) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18051(e)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``200 percent'' and inserting ``a percentage to be determined by the State that is not less than 200 percent and not more than 250 percent''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. ______ Referenced legislation: S5619